Artificial laboring-hand



M. BAUMAN.

ARTIFICIAL LABORING HAND.

APPLICATION FILED 0:021. 1920.

Pafented May 17,1921.

3 SHEETS-SHEET I.

FIG. 5

INVENTOR M. BAUMAN.

ARTIFICIAL LABORING HAND.

APPLICATION FILED DECIZY, I920. 1,378,578. I

Patented May 17, 1921.

3 SHEETSfSHEET 2. m I FIG. .4- 28 7 .5

INVENTOR M. BAUMAN.

ARTIFICIAL LABORING HAND.

APPLICATION FILED DEQZI, 1920. 1,378,578. ented May 17, 1921.

3 SHEETSSHEET 3.

FIGJQ FIG. I4

FLIG. I3

INVE N'T'OR PATENT OFFICE.

MAn'rm BAUMAN, or AKRON, 01110.

ARTIFICIAL LABORING-HAND.

7 Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 1'7, 1921.

Application filed December 27, 1920. Serial No. 433,520.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MARTIN BAUMAN, a citizen of Hungary, residing at Akron, in the county of Summit and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Artificial Laboring-Hands, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings,

This invention relates to artificial laboring hand. It is an object of the invention to provide a device of this general character having novel and improved means whereby the same may be employed with convenience and facility in connection with manual operations relating to work from the lightest kind to heavy work.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of this general character embodying novel and improved means whereby an effective gripping or holding action may i be had on the work and wherein the device embodies an articulated wrist joint together with means whereby said oint may be locked to hold the hand proper in a fixed position with respect to the coacting socket member.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts of my improved artificial laboring hand, whereby certain important advantages are attained and device rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenient and advantageous for use, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The novel features of my invention will hereinafter be definitely claimed. 7

In order that my invention may be the better understood 1 will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the ac companying drawings, wherein;

Figure 1. is a View in perspective illustrating anartificial laboring hand, constructed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention and'in applied position, the gen eral outline of a person being indicated by dotted lines.

Fig. 2. is a fragmentary view in elevation illustrating upper portion of the socket member and parts concomitant thereto.

Fig. 3. is a fragmentary view in elevation of the arm encircling member comprised in the body harness with the adjacent ends separated.

Fig, 4. is an enlarged longltudinal sectional view taken through my improved laboring hand as herein disclosed.

Fig. 5. is a sectional View taken substantially on the line 55 of Fig. 4. I

. Fig. 6. is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 6-6 of Fig. 4.

-Fig. 7. is a view in plan of the inner face of the slidable holding -member or thumb piece as herein embodied.

Fig. 8. is a view in elevation of a gripping member adapted to be employed in connec tion with my improved device, showing a spoon. applied thereto.

Fig. 9. is a view in perspective of liner member adapted to be employed in connection with my improved device, and

Fig. 10. is a view in perspective of a further form of liner member adapted to be employed in connection with my device as herein disclosed.

Fig. 11. is a view in perspective of the steel-plates 27 and 31 with an articulated wrist joint 29 and 30.

Fig. 11 is a view in perspective of the steel-plate 27 in one piece with 31 without an articulated wrist oint. i

Fig. 12. is a view in perspective of the steel plate thumb 51, continued by an upward curved extension (or metallic liner) 50, as shown in Fig. 7.

Fig. 13. is an elevational view of the shank 55, and its concomitant parts detached, and

Fig. 14. is an elevational view of the shank 41, and 46, and the parts concomitant thereto detached.

As disclosed in the accompanying drawings, S denotes a socket member of leather or other suitable material and which has secured within its forward end portion a filler or block 1. of wood or other desired material. The upper end portion of the socket member S has its wall longitudinally cut or slit, as at 2, with the outer end portion of such cut or slit transversely enlarged, as indicated at a.

To one'side of the cut or slit 2. adjacent its inner end is anchored a strap 3. adapted to have adjustable connection with the buckle 4. secured to the opposite side of said out or slit, the strap 3, and buckle 4 coacting to facilitate the desired maintenance of the socket member S upon the stump of an arm and more especially the forearm.

Secured to the socket member S at opposite sides of the transversely enlarged portion a of the cut or slit 2. are the flexible steel plate or sheets 5. preferably of leather. Secured to the inner or free end portion of one of the steel plate or sheets 5. are the straps 6. adapted to have adjustable connection with the buckles 7. carried by the inner or free end portion of the second or opposed steel plate or sheet 5. and in a manner whereby the socket S is further maintained in applied position upon the stump or forearm.

At substantially diametrically opposed points or adjacent the connected or outer ends of the steel plate or sheets 5. the upper or open end of the socket S is provided with the loops 8. through which are directed the rings 9. preferably of metal. Secured to the rings 9. are the oppositeend portions of a body strap 10. which is adapted to embrace the body and preferably to fit up close to the arm pit at the side of the body from the arm to which my improved device is applied. The body strap 10. preferably comprises two sections having adjacent end portions adjustably connected, as at 11. through the instrumentality of a buckle any ordinary or preferred type.

12 denotes an arm band adapted to encirole the upper arm. Said band 12. is split and the adjacent end portions are provided with the coacting separable fastening memhere 14. whereby said band may be effectively applied to the upper arm. The adjacent ends of the band 12 are also provided transverstly thereacross with the eyelets 15. to permit the same to be connected when dosired by the lacing. 16.

The band 12. inwardly of each end thereof is provided with a pair of transversely spaced slits 17. said slits extending in a direction longitudinally of the band. The strap 10. is threaded through each pair of slits 17. whereby the band 12. is engaged with said body strap 10. to maintain the same in desired position when my artificial hand is in applied position upon the stump.

18. denotes a shoulder band adapted to overlie the shoulder adjacent the arm to which my device is applied and the opposite end portions of said band 18. are pro vided with tho transversely spaced slits 19. through which the body strap 10. is also threaded.

The hand proper embodies a body portion 20. of wood or other desired material and which is in simulation of a hand with the fingers partially closed, whereby the for ward end portion of the body 20. is provided with a hook member 21. The inner face of the hook member 21. is continued by a transversely directed depression 22. in the adjacent face of the body 20. and substantially semicircular in cross section. The inner or wrist portion 23. of the body 20. terminates in a flat end face 2 1. which abuts the adjacent outer flat face 25. of the filler or block I.

The outer end of the wrist portion 23. of the body 20. is substantially semicircular in cross section with the fiat face thereof disposed in the same eneral direction as the hook member 21. he socket S is provided with a forwardly directed extension 26. in which the wrist portion 23. seats when the body 20. is in its normal position or when the opposed flat faces 2%. and 25. are substantially in contact.

Embedded or confined within the filler or block I is a steel plate 27 having its outer end edge substantially fiush with the fiat end 25. of the filler. or block I and said steel plate 27 is positively held in applied position by the headless shanks 0r nails 28. preferably four in number and which are directed through the filler or block I and the steel plate 27 The forward or outer end of the steel plate 27. is provided with the extended knuckles 29. which snugly intermesh with the out standing knuckles 30. carried by the steel plate .31. mounted upon the flattened face of the wrist portion 23. of the body 20. Disposed through the intermeshing knuckles 29. and 30. is a pintle 32. whereby the body 20. is connected to 'the block or filler I of the socket member S for swinging movement.

The steel plate 31. provides an integral connection for the fingers 33. preferably of metal, and which extend longitudinally of the body 20. along the inner or palm face thereof and terminate in the hook extensions 3%. snugly arranged within the hook member 21. arranged at the outer end of the body 20. The steel plate 31. and the fingers 33. and hook member 3 1. seat within a groove or channel 35. provided in the inner or palm face of the body 20 and the hook member 21. the central portion 35@ of said groove or channel being preferably of a depth greater than the thickness of the steel plate 31. and the fingers 33. The portion 35@ of the groove or channel 35 also partially underlies the opposed longitudinal marginal portions of the fingers 33. and is open at the fiat face 24. of the wrist portion 23. of the body 20. The fingers are secured to the palm of the body portion 20, by the screws 13.

WVhen the opposed faces 24. and 25. of the wrist portion 23 and the filler or block 1. respectively, are substantially in abutment or contact, the open end of the groove or channel 35. registers with recess 36. produced in the adjacent end of the block or filler 1. and in which is adapted to be extended an end portion of a slide 37. mounted for endwise movement within the portion 35@ groove .or channel 35.

The rear portion of the slide 37. is provided with an outstanding flange 38. extending longitudinally thereof and projecting beyond the inner or palm face or surface of the body 20. and which provides means whereby the desired endwise move ment may be imparted to the slide 37. to either extend said slide within the recess 36. or to retract the same therefrom.

The outer end of the filler or block I is also provided with a bore or chamber 39. open at the outer or flat face 25. of the filler or block I. The bore or chamber 39. inwardly of its open end but in relatively close proximity thereto is intersected by a septum or plug 40 having a fixed position therein and through which is slidably disposed the elongated shank 41. The inner or inserted end of the shank 41. is provided with an enlargement or head 42. and encircling the shank 41. between said head or enlargement 42. and the septum or plug 40 is a coil steel spring 43. which constantly urges the shank 41. inwardly.

The outer end portion of the shank 41. is provided with an eye 44 interlocking with an eye 45. carried by the outer end portion of a shank or screw 46. engaged within the wrist portion 23. of the body 20. through the fiat face 24. By this means, the shank 41. has an articulated connection with the portion 23. of the body 20. whereby the steel spring 43. serves to constantly urge the flat face 24. of the wrist portion 23. into contact with the adjacent flat face of the filler or block I yet, permits the body portion 20. to have yielding swinging movement about the pintle 32. and relates to the block or filler I or more particularly the socket S. It isto be understood, however, that when the slide 37 is extended within the recess 36. the body 20. is locked against such swinging movement and in a fixed position with respect to the socket S and sub stantially in alinement therewith.

G denotes a gripping or thumb member embodying an elongated steel plate 47. adapted to overlie the palm or inner face of the body 20. and having its forward portion continued by an upwardly disposed arcuate extension 48. Disposed longitudinally of the inner face of the steel plate 47. and extending entirely therealong is a slot or groove 49. which registers with the space between the fingers 33. and in which extends the outer portion of the flange 38. The arcuate extension 48. is provided with a metallic liner 50. having its inner portion continued by the fingers 51. overlying the inner face of the steel plate 47. at opposite sides of the slot or groove 49. The fingers 51. are anchored to the body 47. the screws 52. or the like.

Disposed through the central portion of the steel plate 47. at substantially the transverse center of the slot or groove 49. is a slot 53. extending longitudinally of the slot or groove 49. The slot 53. registers with a longitudinally disposed slot 54. disposed through the flange 38. and the adjacent portion of the slide 37.

Disposed through the body 20. and maintained in a fixed position relative thereto is a shank 55. having its head (1 adapted for contact with the back face of the body 20. the shank 55. is of a length to extend through the slots 53. and 54. and terminating outwardly of the body or steel plate 47. of the gripping or holding member G. Threaded upon the extended or free end portion of the shank 54. is a clamping member 56. herein disclosed as a winged nut whereby the member G. may be effectively held in desired position or adjustment with respect to the hook member 21. of the body 20.

In order that the desired article may be properly engaged by my improved artificial hand, the member G. is adjusted in a direction away from the hook member 21. and after the work, such as the handle of a shovel or other member, has been engaged within the hook member 21. the member or holder G. is then forced toward the hook member 21. and brought into relatively close proximity thereto and substantially in contact therewith and said member G. is locked in such position by the clamping member or nut 56; When required or preferred, the slide 37. may be retracted from within the recess 36. so that the body 20. will have a limited yielding movement with respect to the socket S.

When the work applied within the hook member 21. may be of a major diameter less than the radius of the hook member 21. a liner member 57. illustrated in Fig. 9. may be arranged within the hook member 21. this liner member 57, may be of cork, rubber composition or any other desired material, and is substantially semicircular in cross section and provided about midway its length with the outstanding and transversely directed rib 58. adapted to seat within the groove or channel 35. as comprised in the hook member 21. In Fig. 9. the liner member 57. is of a fixed formation.

In Fig. 10. is disclosed a flexible liner member 59. preferably of rubber composition and which may be of any desired thick ness, as indicated by dotted lines. The liner member 59. is normally fiat and provided with a longitudinally disposed outstanding flange or rib 60. which, when the liner member 59 is engaged within the hook 21, seats within the groove or channel 35.

In Fig. 8. I disclose a liner member 61. substantially cylindrical in form and which has disposed partially therearound the outstanding rib 62. adapted to seat within the groove or channel 35. when the liner 130 member 61. is applied within the hook member 21. Extending lengthwise of: the member 61.. and in the periphery thereof is a groove or channel 63. in which is adapted to snugly engage a handle 64. ot' a spoon or other implement so that my improved hand can be employed with facility in eating or in connection with other light work. (his end of the liner member 61. is also provided with a socket 65. indicated by dotted lines in Figs. 8, in which is adapted to be inserted an end portion of a pencil or other writing implement.

hen the member G. in applied position, the flange 38 oi the slide 37. is housed in a manner whereby accidental movement of the slide 37. is prevented, when it is desired to move the slide 37. into either extended or retracted position, the member G. is first removed.

From the foregoing description it is thoughtto be obvious that an artificial. laboring hand constructed in accordance with my invention is particularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility with which it may be assembled and operated, and it will also be obvious that my invention is susceptible of change and modification without departing from the principles and spirit thereof and for this reason I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise arrangement and formation of the several parts hereinshown in carrying out my invention in practice except as hereinafter claimed.

I claim:

1. An artificial laboring hand comprising a socket member, a body hingedly engaged with the socket member, yieldable means for constantly urging the body in one direction relative to the socket member, and means for locking the body against swinging movement, said means comprising a slide carried by the body and engageable within a recess carried by the socket memher.

2. An artificial laboring hand comprising a body, means for supporting said body in applied position, a hook member carried by the body, a holding member slidable upon the body and provided with an extension for eoaction with the hook member and means for maintaining the holding member against slidable movement.

3. An artificial laboring hand comprising a body having one end portion terminating in a hook member, and spaced fingers extending along a face of the body and the hook member.

4. An artificial laboring hand comprising a body having one portion terminating in a hook member, and spaced fingers extending along a face of the body and the hook member, the inner end portions of the lingers being integrally connected 5. An artificial laboring hand, comprising a body provided with a hook member, the inner wall or" the hook member being provided with a groove, and a filler insertible within the hook member and provided with a flange to seat Within the groove of the hook member.

6. An artificial laboring hand comprising a body, means for supporting said body in applied position, a hook member carried by the body, a holding member slidable upon the body and provided with an extension for coaction With the hook member, means for maintaining the holding member against slidable movement, a steel plate overlying the inner face oi the extension of the holding member, and fingers extending from said steel plate disposed and secured to the inner face of the holding member.

7. An artificial laboring hand comprising a socket member, a body, the adjacent ends of the body being substantially fiat, a steel plate embedded within the fiat end of the socket member, a steel plate secured to the palm face of the body and hingedly engaged with the first named steel plate, yieldable means coacting with the socket member and the body for normally maintaining the fiat face of the body and the socket member substantially in contact, and a holding means carried by the body.

MARTIN BAUMAN. Witnesses:

Dr. JOLLY BATES, HARRY L. HERRING. 

